Housing and Community Development - Homeowner's Extreme Weather Mitigation and Preparation Grant Program
Impact
The enactment of SB77 will have a significant impact on state housing and community development policies. The bill allocates funds to homeowners to help them mitigate risks associated with extreme weather. Specifically, eligible homeowners may receive grants of up to $5,000, while local governments and nonprofits can access larger matching grants for various projects aimed at improving residential resilience. This financial support is expected to help families make necessary home improvements, thereby reducing long-term damage and maintenance costs resulting from extreme weather conditions.
Summary
Senate Bill 77 establishes the Homeowner's Extreme Weather Mitigation and Preparation Grant Program in Maryland. The program aims to assist homeowners, nonprofit organizations, and local governments in preparing and repairing residential properties to reduce the risk of water damage caused by extreme weather events. This initiative reflects increasing concerns about the impact of climate change and the need for effective measures to protect homes and communities from adverse environmental impacts.
Contention
Notable points of contention surrounding SB77 include the adequacy of funding and the program's implementation mechanisms. Critics may raise concerns about the bill's budget, which includes an annual allocation of $5 million starting in fiscal year 2025. Furthermore, there may be discussions about whether the program's eligibility criteria adequately cover all homeowners at risk. Additionally, ensuring that the funds are assigned effectively and used for their intended purposes will be crucial for the program's success and acceptance among stakeholders.
Enacts into law components of legislation relating to disaster relief for extreme weather events in Central New York, long-term climate resilience property improvements, and insurance discounts for climate mitigation efforts; establishes the central New York extreme weather relief and resiliency grant program to provide grants to certain persons and entities that suffered damage from covered events (Part A); expands and strengthens the resilient and ready program by providing grants to homeowners impacted by extreme weather events and providing grants for long-term climate resilience improvements for snow and tornado-related weather hazards (Part B); establishes the central New York property/casualty insurance resiliency incentive program to facilitate property/casualty insurance discounts for mitigation efforts (Part C).
Enacts into law components of legislation relating to disaster relief for extreme weather events in Central New York, long-term climate resilience property improvements, and insurance discounts for climate mitigation efforts; establishes the central New York extreme weather relief and resiliency grant program to provide grants to certain persons and entities that suffered damage from covered events (Part A); expands and strengthens the resilient and ready program by providing grants to homeowners impacted by extreme weather events and providing grants for long-term climate resilience improvements for snow and tornado-related weather hazards (Part B); establishes the central New York property/casualty insurance resiliency incentive program to facilitate property/casualty insurance discounts for mitigation efforts (Part C).